Yukon's NDP candidate say she's not giving up her fight to become the territory's next MP, despite losing a key endorsement.

Earlier this week, the Council of Yukon First Nations endorsed Liberal candidate Larry Bagnell. Grand chief Ruth Massie said it's about voting strategically to oust the Conservatives.

Atkinson hit back on Thursday, calling strategic voting short-sighted and risky.

"Well, this girl is not going to be silent, there is too much at stake," Atkinson said. "We need to come together and vote in a principled way."

"If you're going to use some strange formula to come up with how you're going to plan your future, you need to stop and think about that," Atkinson said.

The NDP candidate released a statement today detailing her party's commitment to addressing issues deemed important to First Nations communities, such as housing, education, and Bill S-6.

It also highlights endorsements Atkinson has received from former Tr'ondek Hwetch'in Chief Eddie Taylor, and former Liberal Yukon government minister Don Roberts.

Atkinson also points to Assembly of First Nations chief Perry Bellegarde's praise for the NDP platform. The AFN on Thursday released its assessment of the four main parties' platforms, giving the NDP highest marks.

Another high-profile endorsement came Thursday from Yukon premier Darrell Pasloski, who is supporting Conservative candidate Ryan Leef.

Image | Darrell Pasloski

Caption: Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski ran as a Conservative candidate in the 2008 federal election. (CBC)

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"To many, this will come as no surprise given my past political role," Pasloski said in a written statement. Before he became premier, Pasloski ran as a Conservative in the 2008 federal election.

Pasloski called Leef the "best choice" for Yukon. He listed a number of federal investments in Yukon, including the Carcross Commons, clean energy projects with Yukon First Nations, and the new Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining, saying Leef has "delivered results."

The premier also cited Leef's "courage to break ranks with his party" and vote in favour of an inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women.